Data carrier comprising an optically variable element

ABSTRACT

A data carrier with an optically variable structure having an embossed structure with raised areas and a first coating contrasting with the surface of the data carrier. The embossed structure and the first coating are so combined that at least parts of the coating are completely visible upon perpendicular viewing but concealed upon oblique viewing so that a tilt effect arises upon alternate perpendicular and oblique viewing. The first coating is provided only in certain areas. Additionally, the optically variable structure has at least in partial areas a second coating likewise contrasting with the data carrier surface and disposed in overlap with the first coating at least in partial areas.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a National Phase of International Application SerialNo. PCT/EP03/08891, filed Aug. 11, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a data carrier with an optically variablestructure having an embossed structure with raised areas and a firstcoating contrasting with the surface of the data carrier, the embossedstructure and the coating being so combined that at least parts of thecoating are completely visible upon perpendicular viewing but concealedupon oblique viewing so that a tilt effect arises upon alternateperpendicular and oblique viewing. The invention further relates to amethod for producing such a data carrier.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART

It has been known for some time to equip data carriers, such as banknotes, papers of value, credit cards or ID cards or the like, withoptically variable security elements, in particular optically variablediffraction structures such as holograms. Protection from forgery byholograms is based on the different optical impression of said hologramsthat occurs upon a change of viewing angle relative to the hologram.Said optically variable impression cannot be rendered by copyingmachines since copying machines only render the appearance of thehologram from a certain viewing angle. A data carrier with such ahologram is known for example from EP 0 440 045 A2. This print proposesapplying the hologram to the data carrier as a prefabricated element oras an embossing in a lacquer layer applied to the data carrier.

However, there are other optically variable security elements that canbe provided on a data carrier. Thus, it is known for example from CA 1019 012 to provide a bank note in a partial area of its surface with aparallel printed line pattern. To produce the optically variable effect,a line structure is additionally embossed into the data carrier in thearea of the printed line pattern so as to form flanks visible only atcertain viewing angles. Selectively disposing the printed line patternon like-oriented flanks of the embossed line structure causes the linepattern to be visible upon oblique viewing of the flanks provided withthe lines. Upon oblique viewing of the rear side of the flanks the linepattern is not recognizable.

The antiforgery effect of such embossed optically variable securityelements can be improved further if additional visually recognizableeffects are produced by selectively changing the line pattern orembossed structure. Examples of such additional effects are described inWO 97/17211 and WO 02/20280.

The optically variable effect of the latter known security elementsarises fundamentally from the combination of a print with a blindembossing that is preferably produced by intaglio printing. Blindembossing has the disadvantage that it cannot be integrated into acolored intaglio image but can only be used as an isolated securityfeature. This is because a relatively great distance between the blindembossing areas and the ink-carrying areas is required to make sure thatabsolutely no ink gets into the blind embossing depressions when theintaglio printing plate is inked.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is therefore based on the problem of proposing a datacarrier with an optically variable security element of theabovementioned kind that can be integrated into a printed image.

This problem is solved by the features disclosed herein.

The invention is based on the finding that the optically variable effectof the security element is retained if an ink-carrying embossing is usedinstead of the blind embossing. That is, the optically variablestructure has at least in partial areas a second coating likewisecontrasting with the data carrier surface and disposed congruent to theraised areas of the embossed structure. The second coating offers theadvantage of stabilizing the embossed structure without an additionalprinting operation.

Moreover, the inventive security element has the advantage that it canbe integrated into an intaglio motif and thus into the representationaland color design of the main motif.

Intaglio printing is characterized in that linear depressions areprovided in the printing plates to produce a printed image. Arealrepresentations are also produced by closely adjacent engraved lines,the individual engraved lines normally being fractions of a millimeterwide.

For the printing operation the engraved lines of the plate are filledwith ink. Surplus ink is removed from the plate with the help of awiping cylinder or doctor blade such that the engraved lines are filledwith ink up to the edge. During the printing operation the data carrierto be printed, normally paper, is finally pressed onto the plate withhigh pressure by means of a pressure cylinder having an elastic surface.The data carrier is thereby pressed into the ink-filled engraved linesof the plate, thus coming in contact with the ink. When the data carrieris detached it pulls the ink out of the depressions of the engravedlines. The thus produced printed image has printed lines that vary inink layer thickness depending on the depth of engraving. The datacarrier is pressed into the depressions of the plate so strongly that itnot only receives ink from the depressions but is also simultaneouslyembossed.

When translucent inks are used in intaglio printing, light color tonesare obtained if a white data carrier is printed with thin ink layers,and darker color tones if printed with thick ink layers. This effect canalso be utilized within the scope of the invention to produce differentcolor effects and increase the contrast of the tilt effect. Likewise, itis possible to combine translucent and nontranslucent inks.

The inventive optically variable structure can therefore be integratedinto the printing plate of an intaglio motif in a very simple way byproviding the embossed structure likewise in the form of depressions inthe plate. During the printing operation the depressions belonging tothe embossed structure are filled with an ink having for example thesame color as the intaglio motif to be printed. This ink layer, which istransferred to the data carrier with the embossing operation, forms theinventive second coating disposed congruent to the raised areas of theembossed structure.

It is not necessary for the total embossed structure to be inked withthis color. Only partial areas of the embossed structure can also beprovided with a color. Alternatively, it is also possible to provide theembossed structure with different colors or a color flow. Such a colorflow can be produced via a color split whereby the printing plate isaccordingly inked by means of single color stencils. Preferably, thecolor of the second coating is integrated into the color design of theintaglio motif.

The color split and a corresponding choice of printing inks employed areused selectively here to control the contrast of the optically variablestructure.

The color split can also be used to make parts of the optically variablestructure machine-readable by adding at least one feature substance,such as a luminescent substance, magnetic substance or electricallyconductive substance, to at least one of the inks. Different parts ofthe optically variable structure can also be provided with differentfeature substances. Alternatively, the total optically variablestructure can also be equipped with a uniform machine-readable property.

The optically variable structure can be directly adjacent to theintaglio motif or else be part of the steel intaglio motif.

Since such intaglio motifs are primarily applied in security printing,the inventive data carrier is preferably a paper of value, in particulara bank note. The paper of value can be a security paper made of cottonfibers, a paper containing synthetic fibers and/or chemical pulp, orconsist of pure plastic foils. Such a paper of value can also be usedadvantageously for protecting any products and goods.

The second coating disposed in the area of the embossed structure canmoreover have a color contrasting with the first coating and be disposedat least in partial overlap with the first coating. Further, one of thecoatings can have machine-readable properties at least in certain areas.These may be for example magnetic, electrically conductive orluminescent properties. Finally, the data carrier can have a metallicbackground layer in the area of the optically variable structure.

The embossed structure is preferably executed as a screen structure. Itcan be triangular, but also trapezoidal, sinusoidal, semicircular oranother shape. Preferably, the embossed structure is executed as a linescreen with a constant screen ruling. In some embodiments, however, itcan also be expedient to use different screen rulings. For example, thescreen ruling can increase continuously in the edge area of theoptically variable structure so that the embossed structure quasi tapersout. The same effect can be obtained by a continuous reduction of linewidth with constant or increasing screen ruling. In this edge area thefirst coating can be adapted in accordance with the embossed structureor be completely lacking.

Further effects can be obtained if the flank angles vary within a lineof the embossed structure executed as a line screen.

To better bring out the optically variable effects, the embossedstructure can be subdivided into partial areas where different partialembossed structures are provided, as described in WO 02/20280. Thedisclosure of this print is incorporated in the present invention byreference.

The partial areas preferably form a two-dimensional matrix having mpartial areas in the horizontal direction and n partial areas in thevertical direction, where m, n≧1, preferably m, n≧2. The partialembossed structures in at least two adjoining partial areas are disposedmutually offset by a fraction, in particular one third, of the screenruling.

The first coating is preferably a print likewise formed as a screenstructure, whereby the individual screen elements can be designed atwill. However, a line screen with a constant screen ruling is preferablyused. According to a preferred embodiment, said line screen consists ofprinted lines of any desired color design. The print is done by anydesired printing process, such as offset or screen printing. Any desiredindirect printing processes, such as indirect letterpress, can also beapplied. The methods moreover make it possible to provide the firstcoating with a color flow, a so-called “rainbow blend.”

Printed screen and embossed structure are adjusted to each other,preferably such that the width of the printed screen lines is somewhatsmaller than the length of the flanks of the embossed structure linesand that they extend parallel or largely parallel. Printed screen andembossed structure need not necessarily extend in a straight line, theycan instead also be designed in the form of wavy lines, etc. The linewidths are between 25 microns and 300 microns, preferably between 55microns and 150 microns. If the line screen is composed of printed,spaced-apart lines, a ratio of about 1:1 is preferably selected for theratio of printed to unprinted areas. If a line width in the order ofmagnitude of about 100 microns is additionally selected, the lines canvirtually no longer be resolved by the eye and a homogeneous coloreffect arises. That is, the line screen is visually perceived only as ahomogeneous colored surface. Additionally, the lines can be executedthicker in certain areas and thus represent for example a halftone imageor another motif. Preferably, the lines only have thickened areas on oneside. This likewise leads to stronger contrast. Alternatively, the linescan have gaps to produce an additional visually recognizable pattern.The first coating and/or the embossed structure can also be executed soas to repeat the content of other information present on the document ofvalue to make comparison possible.

Quite generally it is to be underlined that the color design of thesecurity element can be adjusted at will by a corresponding color choiceof first and second coatings, since the mixture of the two colors isalways perceived at least in a top view. Likewise, the informationperceptible from different viewing angles can be adjusted by acorresponding choice of parameters, such as color, line thickness andline modulation of the first coating and flank angle, flank height andflank modulation of the embossed structure.

Rasterization of the print can be dispensed with if optically variableinks are used, i.e. inks having different optical effects dependent onthe angle of vision. These may be high-gloss, e.g. metallic, layers orelse inks that change their color effect themselves in angle-dependentfashion, as is the case for example with liquid crystal pigment inks.

However, an inventive optically variable structure with a rasterizedfirst coating can also be additionally underlaid or covered with anoptically variable printed image. This is preferably done with printinginks having interference layer and/or liquid crystal pigments. Anadditional metallic background is also conceivable. The printed imagecan be executed to be positive or negative. The use of liquid crystalsadditionally provides elevated protection from forgery since the printedimage in this case has light-polarizing properties that can be read bymachine. This holds in particular when the printed image is composed ofpartial printed images, with liquid crystals having differentpolarization properties being used for the partial printed images.

The inventive optically variable structure can be underlaid or covered,not with an additional printed image, but with a foil element, such as adiffraction structure embossed into a lacquer layer. Here, any desiredlayer structures and types of foil elements can be used, such as realholograms, lattice structures, volume holograms that are executed to betransparent, semitransparent or opaque.

According to a preferred embodiment, the inventive optically variablestructure consists of a print in the form of a printed line screen, afirst color and an embossed structure superimposed on said line screenand likewise executed in linear fashion whose raised areas are providedwith a further color contrasting with said first color. Said secondcolor is preferably produced by means of translucent printing inks thathave a certain transparency so that the color of the first coatingshines through said color and the viewer thus perceives a mixed color inthe superimposed areas. Especially good effects are achieved if there isa complementary contrast between the first and second colors.

When viewing said optically variable structure perpendicular to the datacarrier surface, the viewer ideally recognizes only a uniform coloreffect. When the data carrier is tilted or the viewing angle changed,parts of the first and/or second coating are concealed by the embossedstructure, so that in certain areas the color effect of the first orsecond coating or of the mixed color of the two coatings predominatesand thus variable color effects arise.

This interplay of colors appears all the more clearly thebetter-contrasting the colors of the two coatings are. For example, adark, e.g. black, line screen can be combined with a well-contrastingcolored intaglio print with translucent inks, such as yellow or otherlight color tones. The first coating in the form of a black line screenis preferably printed on here by the offset process.

Alternatively, a further preferably all-over ink layer can be disposedunder the first preferably screenlike coating. Said layer serves tostabilize the paper in the area of the security element and permitssharper edges in the area of the embossed structure. Said layer can beexecuted as a primer or colored lacquer layer or else contributeadditionally to the color design of the security element if said layerhas a color contrasting with the first coating. One can use conventionalprinting inks or else special-effect inks, such as luminescent inks orprinting inks containing interference or liquid crystal pigments.

Finally, additional information can also be incorporated by designingthe embossed structure and/or first coating accordingly. For example,the raised areas of the embossed structure can have different heights.If the embossed structure is produced by intaglio printing, this meansthat the engraving depths for the embossed structure are selecteddifferently. The areas of lower engraving depth are filled with less inkin the printing or embossing operation and produce areas with a lightercolor tone if translucent inks are used. In this way the inventivesecond coating can be used to produce additional information visuallyrecognizable at all viewing angles. Due to the different embossingheights, however, a change of viewing angle yields additional opticallyvariable effects that are caused by the relative position of the firstand second coatings as well as the embossed structure and the interplaythereof.

The additional information can also be emphasized by an unembossed edgecontour, as already described in WO 02/20280. Alternatively, the edgecontour can also be provided with the second coating and the embossedstructure according to the invention.

As mentioned above several times, the inventive optically variablesecurity element is preferably produced in two printing operations. In afirst printing operation, preferably by the offset process or anindirect printing process, the first coating is printed on the datacarrier. In the second printing operation, which is preferably done byintaglio according to the invention, the embossed structure and thesecond coating are finally transferred to the data carriersimultaneously.

Similar optical effects can be achieved if the two coatings are printedon in register to each other by offset and/or screen printing and thisprinted area is then provided with a blind embossing likewise inregister. All embodiments described within the scope of the inventioncan be produced in this way. According to a special embodiment, forexample, a line screen in a first color can be applied and at leastpartly in overlap therewith a second coating of translucent inks allover. In a last step, the total printed area is provided with a blindembossing in the form of a line screen in register.

However, it is also possible to use the reverse order, providing firstthe embossed structure and second coating on the data carrier and thenthe first coating.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further embodiments and advantages of the invention will be explainedwith reference to the figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an inventive data carrier,

FIG. 2 shows a section along A-A in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the relative position betweenthe first and second coatings of the inventive security element in afirst embodiment,

FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of the relative position betweenthe first and second coatings of the inventive security elementaccording to a second embodiment,

FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of the relative position of thefirst and second coatings of the inventive security element according toa third embodiment, the embossed structure having raised areas ofdifferent heights,

FIG. 6 shows an inventive embossing mold in cross section for producingthe embossed structure with additional information,

FIG. 7. shows a further embodiment of the inventive embossing mold,

FIG. 8 shows a further variant of the inventive security element,

FIG. 9 shows a further variant of the inventive security element,

FIG. 10 shows a special embodiment of the inventive security elementwherein the embossed structure is present in the form of a matrix,

FIG. 11 shows a special embodiment of the embossed structure of theinventive security element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows inventive data carrier 1 with optically variable structure2. Optically variable structure 2 is a security feature that can bechecked without aids and is used optionally alongside further securityfeatures for checking the authenticity of the data carrier. The furthersecurity features may be for example a security thread, watermark or thelike. As preferred within the scope of the invention, optically variablestructure 2 is disposed in the area of intaglio motif 3 of document ofvalue 1. The geometrical and color design of optically variable securityelement 2 can be adapted to intaglio motif 3. Depending on the executionof intaglio motif 3, optically variable structure 2 can also beintegrated completely into said intaglio motif.

However, the inventive security element can alternatively be disposed atany other place on document of value 1.

It is especially advantageous to use inventive optically variablestructure 2 in bank notes, as well as other papers of value such asshares, checks or the like. Labels or other elements for productprotection can also be provided with such an optically variablestructure.

Optically variable structure 2 consists according to the shownembodiment of a first coating in the form of a print contrasting withthe surface of the data carrier as well as an embossed structure and asecond coating that likewise contrasts in color with the data carriersurface and is disposed congruent to the raised areas of the embossedstructure. The various elements of optically variable structure 2 arecombined with each other such that at least partial areas of the firstcoating are completely visible upon perpendicular viewing but concealedupon oblique viewing.

This principle is made clear by the section along A-A shown in FIG. 2.First coating 4 consists of line screen 4, in the case shown here, andembossed structure 5 is also designed in the form of a line screenstructure. Second ink layer 6 is disposed congruent to embossedstructure 5, thus completely covering first coating 4. Uponperpendicular viewing from viewing direction A, the viewer ideallyrecognizes only a colored surface whose color largely corresponds to themixed color of first coating 4 and second coating 6. Upon obliqueviewing from viewing direction B, the viewer is faced by the flank ofembossed structure 5 that coincides with the printed lines of printedscreen 4. The viewer therefore perceives from viewing direction B analmost uniform colored print in the color of the mixed color from firstcoating 4 and second coating 6. In viewing direction C the viewer isfaced by the flanks of embossed structure 5 that coincide with theparticular gap of line screen 4, so that from this direction the viewerperceives a likewise uniformly colored surface in the color of secondcoating 6.

Embossed structure 5 and second coating 6 are preferably transferred todocument of value 1 by the intaglio printing plate. This has theadvantage that the security element can be produced simultaneously withintaglio motif 3 in one operation. For this purpose, both the negativeof desired embossed structure 5 and the intaglio motif are engraved intothe printing plate. During the printing operation the printing plate isfilled with ink and then data carrier material 1 is pressed into theengraved areas of the plate and lastingly deformed. The high contactpressure causes embossing 5 to also be noticeable on the back of datacarrier material 1.

The printing plate can be inked with a uniform color for the printingoperation so that second coating 6 and intaglio motif 3 have the samecolor. Different colors can also be used, however.

Since translucent inks are preferably used for second coating 6, theviewer can recognize the mixed color of the two colors in the overlaparea between first and second coatings 4, 6.

Embossed structure 5 shown in FIG. 2 consists of directly adjoiningtriangular profiles when viewed in cross section. However, thetriangular profiles can also be slightly spaced apart. The relativeposition of first coating 4 and second coating 6 or embossed structure 5can also vary, as made clear by FIGS. 3 to 5. Here, only the embossedprofile and the relative position of coatings 4, 6 are shown.

In FIG. 3 the triangular profiles of embossed structure 5 are spacedapart, which is indicated by connection bars 7. First coating 4 isdisposed on one of the flanks of embossed structure 5 below secondcoating 6, as shown in FIG. 2. Connection bars 7 are coating-free,however, so that the data carrier surface is visible in this area.

FIG. 4 shows a variant in which first coating 4 completely coversconnection bars 7 and part of the flanks of embossed structure 5. Inthis example, second coating 6 covers first coating 4 only partly, sothat first coating 4 is also visible in partial areas.

FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment in which the relative position ofembossed structure 5, first coating 4 and second coating 6 correspondsto the embodiment already shown in FIG. 3. However, the raised areas ofembossed structure 5 have different heights in this example. If embossedstructure 5 and coating 6 are produced by ink-carrying intaglioprinting, this means that more ink is transferred in the areas of theembossed structure with the higher raised areas. Due to the higher inklayer thickness in area 8 of embossing 5, partial areas 8 of embossing 5appear in a darker color tone than partial areas 9 of embossing 5. Inthis way, additional information can be produced in the opticallyvariable element.

However, such visually recognizable additional information can also beproduced in other ways. If translucent printing inks are used, theadditional information can also be represented by a higher ink layerthickness in certain areas of the printed image.

FIG. 6 shows in cross section printing plate 30 for producing suchadditional information. First printed image 31 is engraved into plate 30with depth t₁. Second printed image 32, which is superimposed on firstprinted image 31, is engraved into plate 30 with depth t₂. Since theengraving for second printed image 32 is deeper than the engraving forfirst printed image 31, more ink is transferred in the area of printedimage 32. When translucent printing inks are used, a darker color effecttherefore results in the area of printed image 32, and printed image 32is recognizable against lighter printed image 31. According to thisexample, the two printed images 31, 32 form the second coating that istransferred to the document of value simultaneously with the embossedstructure in the printing operation.

FIG. 7 shows a further variant for producing additional information inthe second coating. It again shows printing plate 30, into which a linewith width b is milled. Said line is composed of different areas 33, 34that differ in their depth and flank steepness. In the finished printedimage said line shows different color effects along its length since theinking is different in areas 33, 34.

If the line depth is too great, paper tears might occur during theembossing operation. To therefore permit the same line width to beretained, it might therefore be necessary to make the line just as widebut less deep. If a milling tool is used for producing the printingplate, it might therefore be necessary to produce the line by means of anarrower engraving tool that nevertheless produces the width of thedesired engraved line by corresponding guidance of the milling tool.

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of the inventive optically variablestructure. In this example, the first coating consists of two crosswisedisposed line screens 10, 11 that can also be designed in differentcolors. In the shown example, the lines of printed screen 11 aredisposed on one of the flanks of embossed structure 5. This associationemerges from the profile sketches at the lower edge of FIG. 8, whichshows a detail of embossed structure 5 and coating 6 in cross section.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the inventive optically variable structurein which the first coating consists of one-sided screen 40. Said screenstarts at straight baseline 41. Opposite line 42 of the screen elementis of irregular design and can vary from screen element to screenelement. This particular screen can be used to represent verywell-contrasting halftone images. As explained above with reference toFIG. 8, said screen elements 40 preferably come to lie on the flanks ofembossed structure 5 and are covered by second coating 6.

FIG. 10 shows a top view of the basic structure of inventive opticallyvariable structure 2. It consists of the first coating in the form ofline screen 4 with a constant screen ruling, the line screen consistingof spaced-apart printed lines. Embossed structure 5 is disposed inoverlap with print 4, being indicated only by the dash-lined frame forclarity's sake. Shown embossed structure 5 is subdivided into sixpartial areas 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 where partial embossed structuresare disposed, being omitted from the drawing as mentioned above. Thesecond coating, which is disposed congruent to the raised areas of thepartial embossed structures, is not shown either. Partial areas 50, 51,52, 53, 54, 55 are directly adjacent here and form a two-dimensionalmatrix. Depending on the embodiment, said matrix can have n partialareas in the vertical direction and m partial areas in the horizontaldirection, where n, m≧1, preferably n, m≧2. In the shown example, n≅3and m≅2. A second coating, which is likewise omitted from the drawing,is disposed congruent to the raised areas of embossed structure 5 inthis example as well.

The relative position of the partial embossed structures and line screen4 varies within embossed structure 5 from partial area to partial area,so that partial areas 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 differ in their color,color tone or brightness and are thus visually recognizable ascontrasting partial areas. Upon a change of viewing angle, the color andlight/dark impressions of the partial areas vary. This impression isstrengthened by superimposed second coating 6.

FIG. 11 schematically shows a further special embodiment of embossedstructure 5. It is composed of partial areas 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55where different partial embossed structures 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 aredisposed. The sloping lines in FIG. 11 indicate the course andarrangement of particular partial embossed structure 20, 21, 22, 23, 24,25. The shown lines mark the valleys of the embossed structure, as ismade clear by the sketch in the left area under embossed structure 5,which shows partial embossed structure 23 in cross section. Forclarity's sake, the zeniths of partial embossed structures 20, 21, 22,23, 24, 25 have not been shown with lines in the figures.

All partial embossed structures 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 have same screenruling a. However, pairs of adjoining partial embossed structures 20,21, 22, 23, 24, 25 are mutually offset. In the shown example, the offsetis preferably a fraction 1/x of screen ruling a. Preferably, a pair ofadjacent partial embossed structures is mutually offset by one third ofscreen ruling a. The first coating has been omitted in FIG. 11 forclarity's sake. Since the arrangement of the partial embossed structuresand congruently disposed second coating varies from partial area topartial area, however, the relative position between the first coatingand particular partial embossed screen 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 alsovaries accordingly. This produces frequently changing light/darkcontrasts and changing color effects that visually stand out clearly andare well recognizable. If the offset is selected for example so that thepartial embossed structures recur within embossed structure 5, aplurality of partial areas show the same appearance from one viewingangle. However, partial embossed structures 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 ofinventive embossed structure 5 need not be fundamentally offset by afraction of screen ruling a. Any other offset is equally conceivable.Also, not all partial embossed structures 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 need bemutually offset. In some circumstances it is sufficient if only two ofpartial areas 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 are provided with mutually offsetpartial embossed structures 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. The latter also neednot necessarily be directly adjacent. Likewise, single partial areas 50,51, 52, 53, 54, 55 can be provided with partial embossed structures 20,21, 22, 23, 24, 25 with different screen ruling a. The extendingdirection of single partial embossed structures 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25can also vary with respect to the extending direction of adjacentpartial embossed structures 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. For example, partialembossed structure 20 can be disposed at an angle of 90° to partialembossed structure 21.

In the shown examples, the first coating was always applied first andthen embossing 5 or second coating 6. Alternatively, it is of coursealso possible to first apply the embossed structure and the secondcoating and then print the first coating on the second coating.

1. A data carrier with an optically variable structure having anembossed structure with raised areas and a first coating contrastingwith the surface of the data carrier and provided only in certain areas,the embossed structure and the coating being so combined that at leastparts of the coating are completely visible upon perpendicular viewingbut concealed upon oblique viewing so that a tilt effect arises uponalternate perpendicular and oblique viewing, and the optically variablestructure having at least in partial areas a second coating disposed inoverlap with the first coating at least in partial areas, characterizedin that the second coating likewise contrasts with the data carriersurface and at least one of the coatings comprises, at least partly,translucent inks, and further characterized in that the first coating isa printed line screen structure with a constant screen ruling andthickened areas at least in certain areas and only on one side.
 2. Adata carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the secondcoating is disposed congruent to at least parts of the raised areas ofthe embossed structure.
 3. A data carrier according to claim 2,characterized in that the data carrier has an intaglio motif.
 4. A datacarrier according to claim 3, characterized in that at least parts ofthe embossed structure are disposed in the area of the intaglio motif.5. A data carrier according to claim 3, characterized in that the secondcoating has the same color as the intaglio motif.
 6. A data carrieraccording to claim 3, characterized in that the second coating is partof the intaglio motif.
 7. A data carrier according to claim 1,characterized in that the second coating has a color contrasting withthe first coating.
 8. A data carrier according to claim 1, characterizedin that the color used for the first coating has a complementarycontrast with the color of the second coating.
 9. A data carrieraccording to claim 1, characterized in that the first and secondcoatings are disposed at least partly in overlap.
 10. A data carrieraccording to claim 1, characterized in that the optically variablestructure has a metallic background layer.
 11. A data carrier accordingto claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the first or secondcoating has machine-readable properties at least in certain areas.
 12. Adata carrier according to claim 11, characterized in that at least oneof the first and/or second coating has magnetic, electrically conductiveor luminescent properties.
 13. A data carrier according to claim 1,characterized in that the optically variable structure is superimposedor underlaid with an additional trans-parent optically variable layer ora foil element.
 14. A data carrier according to claim 1, characterizedin that one of the coatings is of multicolor design.
 15. A data carrieraccording to claim 1, characterized in that the line screen comprisescolored, spaced-apart lines or colored, directly adjoining lines.
 16. Adata carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the line screenrepresents a halftone image.
 17. A data carrier according to claim 1,characterized in that the embossed structure is an embossed screenstructure.
 18. A data carrier according to claim 1, characterized inthat the embossed structure is executed as a line screen with a constantscreen ruling.
 19. A data carrier according to claim 1, characterized inthat the embossed structure has a varying screen ruling in certainareas.
 20. A data carrier according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe embossed structure and the second coating are executed as coloredintaglio prints.
 21. A data carrier according to claim 1, characterizedin that the first coating is a dark line screen and the second coatingis present in the form of a light, colored line screen.
 22. A datacarrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the embossedstructure has raised areas of different height.
 23. A data carrieraccording to claim 1, characterized in that the embossed structure andthe first coating have the same screen ruling.
 24. A data carrieraccording to claim 1, characterized in that the embossed structure issubdivided into partial areas where different partial embossedstructures are provided.
 25. A data carrier according to claim 24,characterized in that the partial areas form a two-dimensional matrixhaving m partial areas in the horizontal direction and n partial areasin the vertical direction, where m, n≧1, preferably m, n≧2.
 26. A datacarrier according to claim 24, characterized in that the partialembossed structures in at least two adjoining partial areas are disposedoffset by a fraction, in particular one third, of the screen ruling. 27.A data carrier according to claim 24, characterized in that at least thepartial embossed structures of one partial area have an unembossed edgecontour.
 28. A data carrier according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe data carrier is a paper of value.
 29. A method for producing a datacarrier with an optically variable structure having an embossedstructure with raised areas and a first coating contrasting with thesurface of the data carrier and applied to the data carrier only incertain areas, the embossed structure and the coating being so combinedthat at least parts of the coating are completely visible uponperpendicular viewing but concealed upon oblique viewing so that a tilteffect arises upon alternate perpendicular and oblique viewing,characterized by the following steps: applying the first coating to thedata carrier only in certain areas, wherein the first coating is aprinted line screen structure with a constant ruling and thickened areasat least in certain areas and only on one side, embossing the embossedstructure in the data carrier by means of an embossing tool, wherebywith the embossing a second coating comprising, at least partly,translucent inks is transferred to the data carrier in overlap with thefirst coating at least in partial areas, whereby a color likewisecontrasting with the surface of the data carrier is selected for thesecond coating, and the transferring of the second coating to the datacarrier is done congruently to at least parts of the raised areas of theembossed structure.
 30. A method according to claim 29, characterized inthat the data carrier is provided with an intaglio motif and at leastparts of the embossed structure are disposed in the area of the intagliomotif.
 31. A method according to claim 29, characterized in that thefirst coating is produced by the offset process.
 32. A method accordingto claim 29, characterized in that the embossed structure and the secondcoating are produced by ink-carrying intaglio printing.
 33. A methodaccording to claim 32, characterized in that the second coating isexecuted as a color split.
 34. A method according to claim 29,characterized in that the first coating is applied first, and in asecond step the embossed structure and the second coating aretransferred simultaneously.
 35. The data carrier of claim 28 wherein thepaper of value is a bank note.